Meet Phil Zeilder, the founding father of DeadHappy

When investing, your capital is in danger.

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Meet DeadHappy, the life insurer who needs to vary the narrative of ‘dying’ earlier than it’s too late. DeadHappy has been named certainly one of Europe’s high insurtech startups, receiving funding from VC companies similar to Octopus, 4Ventures, Verso, and Volution. 

We had the chance to talk to Phil Zeidler about his causes for beginning DeadHappy, what his plans are for the long run and the way they’re altering the notion of dying, for the higher.

What was your profession historical past previous to launching DeadHappy?

I’ve been in insurance coverage all my profession, founding three firms between 1993 and 2001. The final enterprise, “Junction’ (since renamed), turned the biggest white labelled partnership enterprise for normal insurance coverage within the UK. Junction had over 1 million prospects by partnerships with the Publish Workplace, M&S Cash, HSBC, Barclays and extra. 

I went on to take a position and Chair a spread of companies each within the insurance coverage sector (similar to Merely Enterprise and IGO4) and in a spread of different sectors similar to Well being, Music and retail.

Why did you resolve to start out DeadHappy and what’s the goal behind the enterprise?

After a private near-death expertise, I got here throughout life insurance coverage which has at all times been fairly separate from the final insurance coverage market. What I discovered was a product utterly designed across the trade. It was completely blind to the shoppers wants or needs. 

As a consequence, I found the big safety hole, the place so many individuals had didn’t entry life insurance coverage due to the appalling course of and lack of engagement, leaving a whole bunch of households each week in monetary break and thousands and thousands weak.

What makes DeadHappy stand out from its rivals?

Just about every part. From our branding, to our tone of voice, going through dying (many firms nonetheless refuse to make use of the ‘D’ phrase!), and the engagement with our distinctive Deathwish platform. As a buyer, you truly get to resolve what you need to occur once you die. Our product is straightforward to purchase (three minutes in your cell phone), inexpensive, and versatile. Prospects can alter the product to fulfill their wants as they alter over time. 

How would you describe your workforce and their impression on the enterprise up to now? 

It doesn’t matter how good the thought or product is, it’s all about execution, and we’re lucky sufficient to have an incredible workforce with a really broad expertise. Most of them have labored in startups earlier than, and now we have fastidiously crafted a tradition of collective workforce work with particular person duty that ensures extraordinary productiveness.

Previous to this crowdfunding spherical, have you ever dabbled in fundraising earlier than? 

I’ve been concerned in numerous VC/PE backed companies, and this Seedrs spherical is our fourth fundraise for Deadhappy. The primary two have been pure VC backed rounds, and we launched the crowdfund on the final spherical. We’re a shopper enterprise constructing a disruptive model so felt the group may assist us obtain our targets.

What a part of DeadHappy’s journey are you most happy with?

In all probability our fast progress in a sector that’s plagued by well-intended failures. That mixed with the terribly supportive and progressive tradition within the enterprise which is the inspiration of our success.

What are your future plans for DeadHappy? 

Nothing in need of a world phenomenon that modifications the entire of the life insurance coverage trade. Our mission is to assume buyer first and create merchandise that truly meet their wants whereas serving to change attitudes in the direction of dying so extra persons are comfy excited about, speaking about it and planning for dying.

While you’re not working, what do you do in your spare time?

I take pleasure in sports activities, however I’m solely lively on the tennis court docket or golf course. I’m a really passionate rugby fan too. I like nothing greater than to calm down and discover a good guide too.

In the event you weren’t constructing DeadHappy, what would you be doing?

In all probability nonetheless have a portfolio of Non Exec/Chair roles supporting different companies to develop.

In the event you may return in time, is there something you’d’ve executed in another way all through what you are promoting journey?

Curiously, presumably not! I’ve made so many errors all through my enterprise life. These errors have been my Most worthy classes which have helped me change into extra profitable over time, so if I didn’t make them I wouldn’t be the place I’m in the present day, and I really like the place I’m in the present day!

We love the place Deadhappy is in the present day too and we’re proud to have supported them for years on their journey to a world takeover! To get behind an organization utterly remodeling an trade for the higher, go to the pitch right here.